This Friday is Jayson Tatum Day here at NBC Sports Boston. Be sure to check out our exclusive content around Tatum throughout the day, both online and on the broadcast of Celtics-Timberwolves, which begins Friday at 7 p.m. with Celtics Pregame Live followed by tip-off at 8 p.m. You can also stream it on the MyTeams App.
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Jayson Tatum has only just begun to wreak havoc on the rest of the NBA.
The 21-year-old is developing into a superstar before our very eyes. Before playing in his first All-Star Game last weekend, Tatum dropped 39 points in the Boston Celtics' double-overtime win over the Los Angeles Clippers. His performance on both ends of the floor was a lasting reminder of what he's capable of accomplishing for years to come.
There's also Jayson Tatum the father. Tatum's son -- Jayson Christopher Tatum Jr. (a.k.a. Deuce) -- was born on Dec. 3, 2017, weeks after his dad made his NBA debut.
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So what else is there to know about Tatum? Here's a complete basketball bio:
Boston Celtics
Age: 21 (Born March 3, 1998)
Height: 6'8"
Weight: 210 lb
High School: Chaminade College Prep (Creve Coeur, Missouri)
College: Duke University
Position: Small forward/power forward
NBA Draft: Selected first round, third pick overall in 2017 by the Boston Celtics
Jersey #: 0
Accolades: Gatorade National Player of the Year (2016), McDonald's All-American (2016), ACC All-Freshman team (2017), Third-team All-ACC (2017), NBA All-Rookie First Team (2018), NBA Skills Challenge winner (2019), NBA All-Star (2020)
CHAMINADE COLLEGE PREP
Tatum wasn't exactly an under-the-radar prospect during his time at Chaminade College Prep. He was rated as a five-star recruit and No. 3 overall behind future Duke teammate Harry Giles (now with Sacramento Kings) and Josh Jackson (Memphis Grizzlies).
As a freshman, Tatum averaged 13.3 points and 6.4 rebounds per game and was named 2013 Metro Catholic Conference Co-Player of the year. In his sophomore season in 2014, he averaged 26.0 points and 11.0 rebounds per game.
Tatum continued to improve as a junior, averaging 25.9 points, 11.7 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per game. Then in his senior year (2015–16), Tatum finished his high school career off by averaging 29.6 points and 9.1 rebounds.
One of Tatum's most notable high school performances was a 40-point outing against 2017 No. 1 overall pick Markelle Fultz at the 2016 HoopHall Classic (video above).
In 2016, Tatum was named Gatorade Player of the Year and was a McDonald's All-American. He committed to Duke in his junior year.
DUKE
Tatum played in 29 games with the Blue Devils in the 2016-17 season, averaging 16.8 points, 7.3 rebounds, 2.1 assist, and 1.3 steals. He was named to the ACC All-Freshman team and also was a third-team All-ACC selection.
In the ACC Tournament, Tatum averaged 22.0 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 1.5 steals and was named to the All-ACC Tournament team.
Duke entered the 2017 NCAA Tournament as a No. 2 seed and cruised past Troy in the first round, though it was upset in the second round by No. 7 South Carolina. Tatum averaged 16.5 points and 7.5 rebounds in the two tournament games.
After Duke's season came to a disappointing end, Tatum decided to forgo his sophomore season and declare for the 2017 NBA Draft.
BOSTON CELTICS
"With the third pick of the 2017 NBA Draft, the Boston Celtics select Jayson Tatum from Duke University."
Rather than sticking with the first pick in the draft to take consensus No. 1 Markelle Fultz, Danny Ainge opted to trade down with the Philadelphia 76ers and acquire pick No. 3. That's where they found Tatum, and that bold decision so far has proven to be one of Ainge's best.
Tatum made an immediate impact on the Celtics in his rookie year. The then-19-year-old averaged 13.9 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 1.6 assists per game to help Boston earn the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference.
The bright lights of the 2018 NBA Playoffs didn't get to Tatum. In fact, that's when he was at his best. He averaged 18.5 points and 4.4 rebounds per game in the Celtics' series against the Milwaukee Bucks, Philadelphia 76ers, and Cleveland Cavaliers. The most memorable moment, though, came in Game 7 vs. the Cavs when Tatum posterized LeBron James.
Tatum followed up his impressive rookie campaign by improving in nearly every offensive category in 2018-19 (15.7 points, 6.0 rebounds, 2.1 assists). Although it was a disappointing season overall for the C's, Tatum certainly was one of the bright spots.
The real leap for Tatum has come in Year 3, his first All-Star season. Through 50 games, Tatum is averaging 22.4 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 2.9 assists and has evolved into Boston's best player on both ends of the floor.
If Tatum continues to develop at this rapid rate, the sky is the limit for the future superstar.